The strange popularity of GOJIRA (and what it says about metal fans)
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- Опубліковано 11 тра 2024
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What explains the strange popularity of Gojira? Some of what I look at:
* Gojira's history including "The Link," "From Mars To Sirius," "Flying Whales," and "The Way Of All Flesh" and evolution from death metal to groove metal
* Why Joe Duplantier's vocals and Mario Duplantier's drumming are so important
* How Metallica and Lamb Of God gave Gojira their big breaks
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0:00 Intro
3:05 The history of Gojira
9:21 The mystery of Gojira's success
12:36 Why they don't need social media and big personalities - Розваги
Come hang out on Twitch! www.twitch.tv/finnmckenty
I'm so pleased that you have found your other channel to be your outlet mate. Genius idea :) you are naturally hilarious and watching back your "best bits" on your Twitch Higlights from said Twitch Stream is just so refreshing
My favorite one is From Mars to Sirius (2005) i don't really like they're last albums
That band is successful because their absolutely fucking angry bro haha
You sound like you've spent way to much time on twitch
@@cynicald380 absolutely genius, this guy
as a French guy, I'd like to point out that these guys come from the unlikeliest of places in France. Near Bayonne, in the south-west corner near Spain. It's as far as you can get from Paris (where all french media is located) whithout leaving France and it's a pretty small city. To make it internationally coming from there is really a huge accomplishment.
Saw them at Hellfest 2019 , was a bit of a bucket list thing to see them on home turf and they where monstrous sounding .
Gave me the same gut feeling seeing Maiden at Donnington does . Even if we had to bribe some guys near us with beer to translate Joe for us haha
Pretty wild considering the first time I saw them play the Uk it was in a tiny tent at a festival and then a club 10 years beforehand
Sounds like parkway drive in that respect
@@PigglyWigglyDeluxe another band to be proud of for how far they’ve come as well
@@megaduck7965 you know I do feel a strange patriotic pride for Gojira haha....French rock bands making it big abroad are pretty rare. Can't think of another one actually! with the possible exception of Phoenix, who are more on the indie rock side.
@@croulantroulant3082 while making it “big” is probably a bit of an overstatement, Blut Aus Nord is fairly high profile. They’re (well really it’s pretty much just Vindsval) also pretty much my favorite black metal band.
No tattoes, no masks, no bodies paint, no tacky costumes. Just pure talent
exactly
This is what I talking about! you damn right!!!
what difference does it make when the music is great?
@@ninephilo absolutely nothing lol, but I guess that what they mean is that their popularity depends solely on their music, unlike Slipknot or visual kei bands that sometimes attrack people through their aesthetic at first
@@dawid1452 i think you're right🤔
I think you're underselling just how catchy a lot of Gojira's vocals and choruses are. They have many anthemic tracks, where entire stadiums are singing along.
yeah like the chorus of art of dying
@@darkguitarist3476 or stranded
Yeah only if you like the newer stuff
Vacuity
Or toxic garbage island
needless to say too, these guys are genuinely caring about what they do, i mean joe went down to brazil for a few weeks to protest the deforestation of the amazon, and helped build structures there for the locals. They're just good dudes with no drama
How do you protest deforestation, but then help people build structures? Literally doing what he's protesting against. 🤣🤣🤣
Still cool though. But, still.
@@eggpod4567 maybe they built mud huts 😅
@@eggpod4567I'm pretty sure that he means that the band helped out the indigenous population by rebuilding their homes after developers illegally cleared the land by setting fire to the rainforest and burning up their village and leaving them homeless. It's quite a big problem in the Amazon basin apparently.
Yeah, bolsonaro’s far right polices are destroying the country and the planet. We need Lula
They actually practice what they preach lol which is rare coming from artists in recent times
I got interested in Gojira, because I like the idea of flying wales.
Same 🤩 massively heavy yet so delicately weightless, as their music
Play final fantasy x. You will not be disappointed.
I see some whales in the sky
I prefer the idea of levitating Cornwall, but to each his own.
@@inupuli7 the heaviest matter in the (you)niverse.
I just love that they focus on the music and not gimmicks. They're also one of the most consistent bands imo.
Exactly. They're just a group of guys that play heavy metal, and they're really good at it.
They also are one of only two current bands that NEVER get a "haha" breast to their news on pages like metal injection, which given the nature of the metal community is pretty impressive.
@@bensouder8648 whats the other band?
@@nehemiah1098 Mastodon. Neither band gets "Haha-ed" when they do a thing lol
This is simply not true. You’re acting as if the Gojira slide that they do in their riffs isn’t a gimmick, when it is. Mario’s out of this world drumming, Joe’s melodic screams, etc.
These are all gimmicks. No successful band has ever made it big without gimmicks, whether they be appearance-wise or within the music itself.
Even non-metalheads love Gojira.
only* non-metal fans.
@@MichaelDespairs unpopular opinion
Yeah my partner likes them now and she’s usually listens to shit!!
@@MichaelDespairs cmon, I listen to metall all the time and gojira is a masterpiece, they are just so unique.
@@MichaelDespairs Take this L
Never heard of gojira until I went to a deftones show in seattle a couple weeks ago and seeing gojira live front row for the first time ever made me an instant fan they’re fantastic
I just saw them live with Deftones at the Stone Pony 3 days ago so 5/14/22. One of the best concerts ever. Been listening to Gojira for a long time and theyre amazing live
I missed that show and regret it greatly. Wife asked "how much do you like Deftones" implying she would buy me tickets. I never really followed up
@@yokaishingeki6175 Went To The Same Show, I Went In Only Knowing A Few Tracks From “Magma” & Walked Out With Them As One Of My Top 5 Favorite Bands. I’ve Seen Many Bands On The Summer Stage, But They Were The Best. Combined With The Weather & Atmosphere, It Was Perfect.
yes!! i saw them in minneapolis they were so good live
i was at that exact one, it was amazing & i can say the same
The "lack" of catchy singing but the dominance of riffs and the rhythm section makes this band like a perfectly oiled tank just rolling over your inner deep emotions and leaving nothing but a flower garden.
Got to know them two years ago or so. The first metal act in more than ten years that I got addicted to like back being a teenager (just without all the nerdy fandom stuff). The last 3 or 4 albums really define modern metal to me.
They have catchy vocals, choruses and melody though
@@massivecunt8263 I disagree, joe has a "audible" scream yes, but the way he chooses the structure of the vocal in songs isn't catchy at all, in my opinion anyway
No catchy singing, despite most metal being literal growling
PLAAAASTIC!!!! BAG IN THE SAAAAAAND!!!
Well stated. I saw them the other night and my experience was similar. I was absolutely blown away by the brutality and energy this band displays. You can hear it in the music. Definitely among the heaviest bands I've seen and I'm a fan now for sure 🤘🏻
Gojira have been grinding since the early 2000’s and finally blew up during the Prog Metal and Djent movement in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s. They got big because they appeal to both the prog metal and the thrash and groove metal crowds, and because they REALLY bring it live. I’ve seen them open for more established bands like Mastodon and Opeth and while they are amazing live, Gojira usually turns the crowd on way more, since they are so heavy and mosh inducing. They have converted fans from multiple subgenres by relentless touring and promoting.
I've seen them opening for textures, gojira was so much better. I've seen alot of bands live so I'm not easy to impress but gojira did. After that gig I call them the new Metallica, they got everything to be really big.
I saw them at a club venue in NC and it was absolutely the best live show I’ve seen energy/performance and sound wise. I’d drop a lot of stuff to go see them in a space like that again
To quote from memory, they emerged in approximately late 2006 and were quite raved about even then. I have to say I was skeptical of them until I saw them live in 2018 at Download. They are a whole different proposition live compared to their studio offerings.
Yeah I saw them live at Soundwave Festival here in Australia, they absolutely blew me away. They played right before Machine Head and blew them away IMO.
@@EdwinvanKoppen Exactly what I was about to write!
These guys legitimately saved my life. Their music dragged me through some very dark times during 2008/2009 when I had gotten back from Iraq. I also mainly play in D standard because of Gojira. I discovered my sound as a result.
Bro, same. I would attribute Chimaira and Gojira to helping me through shitty post deployment stuff. Iraq 03/04, 09/10.
Same here. I listened to them while going through CPT and numerous PTSD treatments after Afghanistan (11-12). They have the power to soothe the inner demons and pain. Glad they've helped fellow brothers of mine. I will listen to them until my grave.
Me too bro, Was really depressed and was in the year Magma Drop, help me a lot
They also got me through the darkest time in my life. "Pain Is a Master" is one of the key songs that helped me heal.
Nah bro. You saved your life. They were just playing at the time. Don't relinquish the power you hold.
L'enfant Sauvage was the first Gojira song I heard back in 2013 and I was immediately hooked on their unique catchy sound that was still insanely heavy.
That album was the first for me too, been hooked ever since
My gf and I were listening to music together and we realized how differently we experience music. She listens for the lyrics and vocal melody. Whereas for me, the vocals are just another instrument. It takes me many many maaaaaanny listens before the words sink in because I've been paying more attention to the drums and bass haha
I'm like a Jack of all trades. Being a person who likes to sing, I tend to focus on lyrics and vocals q lot. But if the band isn't good, or the sounds dont mesh then it won't sit with me. And the more I listen and enjoy the song I'm picking out every little detail. And some bands definitely hit the more metal scale for me than others. For instance Gojira. Who I love the vocals and lyrics by, but the emotion in the instruments carry more than anything.
Basically I can hear a good vocalist sing or scream but if the drums aren't standing out or the guitars are basic bitxh stuff, then I probably won't like them. Same with the opposite. Architects are awesome instrumentally, but I just dont like Sam Carter's voice (I will be crucified but oh well). Same with Northlane.
I completely understand, Douglas. For me, it's all about the music. The vocals and lyrics are secondary. This may be because a lot of the bands I listen to don't sing in English, so a lot of the time I have no clue what words they're singing. My favorite Rammstein song is about necrophilia. But I listened to that song for a long time before I knew what the lyrics were. And it's still my favorite Rammstein song. I would like to hear Gorjira singing in their native French.
Theres a ton of songs by my favorite bands where I have no idea what the lyrics are about or what the words even are. For me memorizing and loving a song is 99% about the instruments.
I remember playing some metal songs in front of my sister a while back and she kept asking me"So what is he singing about here?" "What is the message about that word he was saying?" It was driving me nuts.
I like both music with riffs on the lead and music with vocals on the lead. But for some reason I find combining those two kinda annoying most of the time. Like, metal with catchy vocals, it's just weird and I don't know why
There are songs as popular as air and water that I still don't know any of the words to beyond the hook or who the artist is. I often hear the "band" as the total melody, so even the hook has all the instruments for me and if you asked me to just sing the melody I'd get it wrong because it's all lumped into one sound in my head.
For me, what made Gojira so big is the content. They not a “fashionable” or “marketable” band, but they offer a lot in 2 aspects. Musically, they bring a intense, dinamic and experimental atmosphere and riffs with personallity, “monster” drumming, headbanging breakdowns and downtempos, and for everyone who sees them live, knows that they are awesome, even better than in studio (even if all of their albuns have a brilliant production, in my opinion) lyrically, a rich experience with mature subjects, lyrics about political themes that are relevant, and universal issues, but also an intense exposition of emotional and mature lyrics. (The lyrics of the first album for example: about lost people you love, isolation, spiritual subjects, etc.) They do a simple thing that many metal bands don’t: content! Ideas to think combined with real good musicianship. As a brazilian, i also praise them to support the fight of our indian people against the destruction of the amazon forest and traditional territory
As a Brazilian too i just want them to make another show here so i can see them
@@gustavomazonave8536 ia ser maravilhoso cara. E na boa, eles ao vivo são ainda melhores que em estúdio
They are certainly marketable. They are also certainly fashionable. In their own way. It’s not like it’s 4 fat guys dressed in pjs looking like slobs. Of course they also tear it up talent wise so that is a big plus
@@ramon2008 i use “marketable” in the sense of a band who use his package as a “brand”. I don’t see Gojira that way. They stick to the music. But of course they have to sell something, everyone has to pay bills. We live in a society where everything has to be sell, so...
But “fashionable” is arguable. They have, of course, a musical signature, but they’re not an “estetical” band.
@@guilhermeptp3954 ah gotcha. Yeah agree.
As an old 50 y.o. old school metal guy who doesn't listen to any of the new stuff, I absolutely love these guys, and their live stuff is unbelievable.
Same , kind of old school but not ! Just brilliant 🎉
I'm closing in on 50 as well and I, not unlike yourself, don't listen to any new stuff...I discovered Gojira thru a drum cover of "Heaviest Matter..." By Krimh. I was hooked by that riff, and decided to investigate further... And down the rabbit hole I fell! Going to see them in April and haven't been this excited for a show since the first time I saw Tool! One of the best bands I've ever heard and seem to be some of the best guys in the business...
I don't know anyone that's seen them live that doesn't gush about how amazing they sound live. I actually like how they sound live even better than on the albums.
Their sound is so gritty and dirty I'm surprised you like them. I love old school metal but got into the heavier screaming type of stuff about 15 years ago. Discovered Lamb of God, Between the buried and me, and a buddy turned me onto Gojira. I thought holy cow, these guys make all the sounds you typically avoid playing guitar, those ugly sounds and turn them to 11 and make songs out of them. No one else does that or at least makes it sound so good. Seeing them live is another story. They always blow the roof off the place and the crowds are always nuts. Seeing them live in a medium sized club in Toronto was the best. Right up close with kids flying over your head all the time and a pit always going. Just friggin sick.
Same
I feel like it's also because Gojira just sounds so beautiful. I get tired of when people say "metal is scary" etc. And granted, I would never show a non-metal head a band like Celtic Frost or Napalm Death, because from personal experience it's just never been a good idea. But Gojira mixes the sound of screaming vocals with guitar riffs and solos that just sound so melodic and enchanting. Because of that, I also feel it's a great band to introduce people into metal.
As a huge Gojira fan since around The Way of All Flesh I think you’ve more or less nailed it here.
The one aspect you touch on but don’t necessarily draw out in itself that I feel creates a super-fan kinda culture and almost unanimous respect for them is just their sincerity and genuine-ness. Even for being a relatively technical/musicianship oriented group, their shit still hits at a very visceral and soulful level. Same with the environmental and spiritual aspects to their lyrics and aesthetic, they put a very specific message out there, but they don’t come off as condescending, pretentious or preachy. They seem genuinely pained at the state of the Earth and it’s relationship to us in society.
That's how I define Gojira. Just pure. They are just genuine. They play what they want, about the topics they want, and they put their soul into it. And you can feel it
Nailed it.
This is a HUGELY true point about the band! I was lucky enough to meet them pre-show during my first concert of theirs. I was a nervous wreck when I tried to talk to Mario and then Joe, but boy were they the nicest and most genuine people I've ever met in my life. It's almost as if they took my fear of meeting such popular musicians away in those 5 minutes of talking to them. Joe even went on to share how he played the Silvera solo in his studio using a penny when I asked for his feedback on a cover I'd done back then. Like someone here mentioned - "they practice what they preach".
Even as someone who doesn't listen a ton to Gojira, they seem to have an average Joe kind of image, which is right up my alley. Also, succeeding with a less accessible sound is impressive to me, it's like beating the "make it in music" game on hard.
average Joe Duplantier
@@FairyCRat dead 💀
@@FairyCRat fuckin' nailed it 😆
Just like Mastodon. Never understood why they are so big
I don't listen to them much, but I don't mind their music. I saw them playing live at a festival a few years ago and they kick ass live, I'll definitely give them that.
I became a forever fan when i first saw them play live. They blew me away (opened for Mastodon and completely overshadowed them) and I have loved them ever since.
This is exactly how I feel. 2017 Pasadena, CA they opened for Metallica and I was instantly hooked on them
Love me some heavy and brutal but what I love about Gojira is their lyrics and how they manage to touch the human side of one's self withouth feeling out of place. Like, you can feel vulnerable and still be metal as fuck in a very organic way. Magma and Fortitude might sound more mellow but the concepts behind them are emotional and meaningful.
Also, they are humble and they actively participate for causes we all should care about so I love great bands with great and smart human beings.
Not to mention the talent, I like the riffs, the good fat bass tone and Mario's drumming is on my favourites, he's a beast and one of the few I actually take the time to watch improvising and solo playing.
Lol try telling someone who listens to country or easy rock that Magma and Fortitude aren't heavy as fuck
@@NooDLES411911 well you can always show them the heavier stuff before getting into Magma and Fortitude.
thx
i absolutely 100% agree with that statement.
Absolutely true
I like them because their lyrics really have a lot of hope In them. I worked with a guy who used to self harm until he listened to them. (He was the one who introduced them to me) I still remember hearing Joe sing "I owe myself life" it was one of the first times in my life I let myself believe that. Idkkk they make unbelievably beautiful music that just understands the anger inside all of us. it also helps that they are undeniably talented. Love this band. Them and Alien Weaponry are the two metal bands I just really go to bat for.
Saw them both this past tour with knocked loose, both killed it
If you're from Europe, both bands are on tour together this summer!
@@Greendayboy01 that’s a great lineup
As a Kiwi I love it when Alien weaponry gets mentioned
Definitely. They are able to bring a positive message without coming across as preachy or cringey. Like the goofy hardcore positive lyrics in the early 00’s, screaming about “friends & family”. A couple of friends of mine were going to make a goofy side project poking fun at that whole thing, we were going to name it “friend maker” haha. Lyrics like “I respect you as a person! I value your friendship! Call me up bro, we can use my dads truck, I’ll help you move cuz I give a fuxk!”
And yeah, that “I owe myself life“ line really stuck out and hit hard the first time I heard it as well
I got into Gojira as a young teen playing World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade when an online friend named Nick told me about them and their song Global Warming. From Mars to Sirius is one of my favorite albums to this day. Hope Nick is doing well. 🤟
to aldine diko! samo TBC I GOJIRA!
found them in like 2008 as a teen too, Sirius XM played flying whales and i've yet to forget that damn song. incredible
@@alonedownthere47 I didn't get into (extreme) metal until pretty late, when I was a senior in high school, when L'enfant Sauvage came out. The slower mid-section of Explosia blew my MIND. Also, Between the Buried and Me's Parallax II at the same time, and Telos blew my MIND. But I heard them both on Sirius XM, so I'll always be grateful to it for introducing me to my favorite genre.
Gojira gets me at the originality box, playing such original sounding music, and not following the Heavy Metal guidelines and blueprints.
Metal is about authenticity, skill, and your message. Gojira does their own thing in their own way and sells their messages that they really care about. They are not trying to be a metal band, they will change a style or tone for the songs or albums message. They are themselves. That's why I love Gojira anyways. Listen to "Stranded" after realizing its about his mom dying and pushing him away in the final days and it will hit different.
holy shit I didn't know that was what the song was about...
Great analysis. Shared the bill with them in France back in 07, amazing, simple, accessible dudes. No flashy tattoos, no attitude, just good clean fun and discipline. They watched our set from the side of the stage, and even tho we didn't play metal at all, but old school garage-punk, they still took the time to have a nice word about our show while setting our gear down to let them play. Their success is waaaayyyyyyyyy well-deserved, they truly are genuine, honest craftsmen.
Gojira’s popularity is largely due to the fact that, for a band as heavy as they are, their music has a lot of melody and catchy vocal lines.
That’s what sets them apart from many other heavy acts.
Silvera would be a great example
Everyone ignores the esoteric lyrics built around occultism
Thats exactly why i really hate Gojira and a shit load of todays metal bands. You are only as heavy as your soft music parts.
This band is soft and comercialized. They are outstanding musicians tho.
Good point. I appreciate your Phanerozoic II pfp too! Killer album from another great (and hugely underrated) band.
Also, they're very dumbed down and easy for the masses to digest.
They sound so incredible live. Even at large festivals, they sound better than almost every other band.
Joe for sure has one of the most unique voices in metal, in my opinion. His perfect blend of both singing and screaming at the same time makes his voice instantaneously recognizable.
Gojira is my favorite band, and I think that the lyrics are as incredible as the riffs, but in metal, vocals are just another instrument, that's what I love about it
Worth noting, it doesn't explain the big popularity now, but in 2011-2012 I became a fan because they came to my middle sized French town thrice in the span of two years and gave an amazing, super tight live show.
They were touring a lot back then and building strong local support.
@Tret Erter ya but it’s from their parents
@Tret Erter spain has that.
Rosalia got her debut album paid for by her states government in spain. It was also her college thesis, so she had access to the schools studio. So it was all basically free.
So i bet parts of france are like that too.
@Tret Erter ex musician here , you got nothing from gouvernement , even less when you are a metal band
@Tret Erter nope if you are a little artist you are pretty f***ed between the tax for your album and everything you barely survived even worse for métal scene you gain just to refuel your car / eat / go to the next show . But if you are big name in pop/hip hop you have a tons of aid
I laughed out load and my ear buds popped out when you said “cerebral incubation”
they're actually decent LOL
It's very easy why they are very popular. They are the best band to see live. The sound of their concerts are always amazing, not one band come close to Gojira live.
Except for Meshuggah
@@ZTOssb I saw Meshuggah and Gojira back to back last night at Mystic Festival in Poland. Every bit as legendary as you'd expect.
Meshuggah
Have you seen BTBAM live?
Huge Gojira fan here. Their live shows are mind blowingly good. I'm surprised that you're just NOW figuring out what it is metal fans like. It's been that way since... Sabbath? Exodus? Slayer? It's always been the riffs and the technicality. The debates over who plays which instrument better has been around since the beginning of rock music and metal just inflated that debate a hundred fold.
Idk if Black Sabbath is really the best example. Ozzy Osbourne's vocals are super catchy and a big part of their appeal. Tony Iommi's riffs are a big part of the equation too but there's a reason it was the Osbournes who had a reality show and not the Iommis.
@@sollamander2206 I dunno the best Sabbath songs for me are all about the massive riffs, Wheels of Confusion, Symptom of the Universe, Children of the Grave, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath etc.
@@sollamander2206 I don't disagree. I just see it as they are the grandfathers of modern metal in many ways (but not the only ones) and as such popularized the heavy riffs that we love and enjoy so much. Ozzy's vocals are unique though and you're spot on with that.
Definitely not Sabbath. Slayer is probably ground zero for this though.
Sabath was way more focused on riffs that other Hard Rock bands of their time. The first Metal band was Judas Priest, they added all of Metal staples to the base of Sabbath riffs.
I never really got into them but after hearing their story and seeing their grind, I really hope they become super big time. They seem to deserve it! Plus it might seem cringey to some, but I really love how they are vocal on the whole environment stuff.
@@MetalShark666 I've went through their entire Spotify discography and a few of their music videos. I think they are great at what they do, I just don't find myself revisiting their stuff often. But my taste changes more than the seasons so I could be into them big time in the future for all I know lmao
whats cringey about liking the environment. their lyrical content and idealogies are better than most death metal lyrics and i honestly wish more people would do this. would make listening to bdm even more enjoyable.
@@-rev-3531 not cringey to me at all, I just mentioned some people might think so. But those people aren't too bright lol. Positive messages in metal are great!
If it sounds cringey to some they better get lobotomized because there's no use of their brain anyway.
They have been vocal about it their whole history but when they released Amazonia, that shit broke me. Gojira is the most brutally wholesome band ever.
@@-rev-3531 if you don't sing about killing people you're cringe.
Never heard of them until I seen them live with Slipknot Behemoth in 2019 and been a fan since and seen them live 3 times and put on a killer show.
Their live at red rocks is the most amazing live show I've heard. Everything is clear and the songs are performed flawlessly
From Mars To Sirius is one of my all time favorite records. So damn amazing
It's also worth mentioning that their live show is SICK. they've worked hard to create a wonderful light show that correlates with the music. It makes everything just so much BIGGER
Huge fan since From Mars to Sirius. They’ve got grooves and riffs and creativity and passion and consistency. No mystery for me.
Just saw them live in Tokyo and man it was a blast.
I feel like most people's first time seeing Gojira live is just shock and awe. They are so tight.
The reasons why Gojira is my favorite band are Mario's drumming, their overall heavy sound and Joe's vocals. When he screams/growls, you can still hear what he's saying and when he sings, his voice doesn't sound too 'clean' or 'poppy'.
Wasn’t a super big fan of Gojira until seeing them live this past November. They put in a hell of a show, had an awesome pit, and gained a new fan.
Was you in st Louis by chance ?
@@scotticidal Daytona at rockville actually
Yep. I don't listen to their studio work much, but saw them playing live at a festival a few years ago and they kicked ass.
I saw them at a festival with my wife (not a metal fan) and she was cracking up because they were playing this super heavy music and the guitar player was just blissed out and smiling the entire time.
@@scotticidal I was at the St.Louis show
Saying I'm obsessed with Gojira is a huge understatement, too much Gojira is never enough.
i absolutely agree 💯
They have a tight fanbase, its a whole community. Their sound is colossal. They as persons/musicians are pretty chill and humble. Its the perfect formula to be utterly respected.
They are very good, thats it, no BS.
Magma was such a hard album for them to write because their mother was dying at the time and I think there was an interview where Joe explained that half was written and done while she was still holding on and the second half was done after she had passed away. I subscribed to your channel once I saw you were going to do this video based on your previous comments that you didn't understand their popularity. I'm glad you gave them a fair shake and I was pleased with the video.
I think the song Low Lands from that album is about their mother.
@@albertoossola1481 I love that song very much along with Shooting Star, Magma, Only Pain and Pray.
I agree, metal is much more about instrumental proficiency than vocals. Imho a truly great metal song will sound good even if you remove the vocals completely
Doing harsh vocals is a skill in and of itself
Love Gojira. From Mars to Sirius was such a big part of my metal listening in high school and to this day remains one of my favorite albums of all time.
Gojira is the first metal band in a decade that I’ve been able to obsess over for a period of time, first band since Maiden when I was a teenage. They gotta have the most refreshing sound in modern metal, and that’s coming from someone that listens to like 90% of metal sub genres lol.
Such a strong and respectable outfit of musicians.
Been looking forward to your take on this for some time.
Phil Anselmo said it on stage once, “It’s always just been us, the amps, the music, and the crowd.” (Prolly butchered that quote but you can hear it on part 3 of the Vulgar Videos from Hell)
Gojira fit that minimalist aspect very well.
Thank you for covering Gojira. I wanted to hear your take on then for a long time. I'm obviously biased as one of my favorite bands but you really pointed out every reason why I love them. You covered them fairly. And I appreciate that
Backbone is still the greatest metal song ever written imo. Great lyrics too. Genuinely helped me get out of a depression
Also they have a unique attack in their sound and performance. The vocal timbre too is unique, and they don't engage in other tropes that exist in the metal space that makes them sound cliche. They sound completely authentic.
Gojira is AMAZING live--I've seen them twice and they killed it both times! I like to think that I am very diverse, too. I freaking LOVE it when bands mix metal/rock with electronic, EDM and pop music (like BMTH, I See Stars, Linkin Park, Issues, Attack Attack!, BABYMETAL, etc.). AND I also love my weirdo raw black metal and dungeon synth. Variety is the spice of life!
Yassss same experimental bands rock
If you like babymetal and experimental music you should check out Coaltar of the Deepers. The guitarist Narasaki wrote some baby metal songs and has a huge range of solo work
@@jaytealonlystoner Coaltar of the Deepers 🖤 Just reading through the comments and this caught my attention. Did not know Babymetal had this kind of connection 🙏🏻
#thingsyoulearninyoutube
Hands down, one of the best bands to see live. Their playing is so tight and polished that it makes their live shows just as good, or better, than their albums.
Completely. They never made much of an impression on me before I saw them play live and they honestly dominated the room
A thing that they do in live that no one mention is that they add things to the sound that in the studio version lacks, like they pick a song that has a empty space between lines and fill this space creating a 2.0 version of the song, bands should do that more instead of control c control v the studio song
@@giovanni5954 their live version of Wisdom comes where they slow it waaaay down is so incredibly brutal and the way they add the outro of remembrance to the end of LOVE is one of the best live combos IMO. Just to name a few
I believe the pandemic really drove metal fans to dig deeper into the discography of lesser known bands. The lack of concerts and exposure meant finding music through other means. The music/lyrics were all that mattered. At least, this was the case for myself. I eventually saw Gojira live, last fall, for the first time. Best live performance I’ve ever seen!
Here’s the key how I see it. The integrity of their music/lyrics comes across real well and it creates a passion for the band from the fans. It gives them staying power versus other bands who latch on to a scene or trend to eventually become fodder because they don’t stand out. Bands that are easily lumped together are just as easily forgotten after the momentum they borrowed wears off. Gojira are their own thing and you could tell early on they would be a force for a long time. Simply put: they care about their art, not their popularity.
I feel like Joe & Mario’s combined charisma and musical chemistry is a big part of their appeal, they’re just really relatable down to earth dudes with a great sense of humour whose personalities really complement one another.
The breakdown from Remembrance is probably the greatest breakdown of all time
Lyrics are a huge part of Gojira, so it's not just riffs. People listen to Meshuggah for the riffs and drums and not so much the vocals usually, but Gojira is a perfect mix of songwriting and chops.
I think you missed the features that make them great.
Vocals are great. Joe has a unique way of screaming while being able to retain melody. That's something tough, I can't name any other singer who can do that, and frankly I think he is one of the greatest metal singers.
But I think the secret is the good old holistic view that makes Gojira greater than the sum of its parts. And at the core, they are not a riff band, they are a rhythm band. I see them as the modern evolution of Pantera, tighter, more brutal, more precise, as everyone is becoming in all genres, but in essence it's the beat. And as human beings, rhythm and beats are what moves us at a more instinctual level.
But it doesn't end there. What Gojira does that also makes them so effective is that they are masters in the expectations management and deception. This was the trick of the great classical composers. Gojira does the same, often playing with rhythm, but also melodically, but still in a way that is approachable by the less educated listener.
And that's why they are so great.
one of the most recognizable guitar sounds out there for sure
Way of all Flesh is indeed the best album!
I'm not the biggest Gojira fan, and I don't really like their last 2 albums, but WOAF is a masterpiece. Vacuity is so CHUNKY.
"No memorable hooks you're willing to sing along to"
Because the entire song is memorable, if you like even just one gojira song, you remember the whole lyrics
I also have to say... gojira was my first deathvocal concert where many many people screamed the lyrics of möst of the songs.
I discovered Gojira CD by chance at a local library while living for a while in Kansas, USA. I was blown away. Their authenticity is undeniable.
Its their riffs, lyrics and Mario's drumming technicality does it for me
Hey Finn, this was a really great look at the band. You have became my favorite music youtuber, I appreciate what you do. Something like this on Lamb of God would be cool, keep up the hard work!
I love a bit of Gojira. Learning to play some of their songs on bass made me realise how complex their songs are and how clever they are. They don't sound complex in the way Tool do but they never directly repeat a riff they change it very slightly each time on the bass which just creates great grooves
I know this vid is from like a year ago, and I don't know where your background came from, but I LOVE that one of the flyers is for a show at the Somber Reptile. I loved playing that club. Also, Gojira freaking rules! Great vid.
I got into metal last year because of Fortitude. I was suprised how much I enjoyed it. I'm still not CRAZY about metal but now I'm not scared of approaching a metal album and I have discovered some good stuff from the genre. Fortitude sounded dark and heavy but it was still catchy and enjoyable to listen to. To me it was pretty accessible but maybe that's because Fortitude is more accessible per se? I dunno, still haven't checked out their other albums.
Fortitude was also my gateway drug.
The next should be Magma, still not as heavy as the rest but you'll find a huge difference from their first albums.
@@haeresis_ Thank you for your recommendation! :)
I know you sometimes don’t like doing these types of videos because you say that you aren’t providing much info or just talking about stuff people can find yourself, but your perspective is really awesome Finn. Hearing about when you first heard about these bands for the first time and what it was like hearing bands like this who I (only 19 years old) just knew them as a big band the whole time, it’s hard to imagine them as this band getting mentions on forums for their death metal albums. Not to mention comparing the straight edge scene and not having the most traditional metal background, it’s almost cooler hearing it from an outsiders perspective. Plus, stuff like this is still analytical and hearing your thought process is great
Even though I absolutely adore your second channel and those types of videos, I just don’t think you should think your main channel videos are bad content in any way, shape or form. Even though I can single handedly point to you for getting me out of the just pure metal box and expanding my horizons, these videos will always be awesome.
When you talk of vocal vs instrumental focused music, it sounds like you’re essentially talking about pop vs classical. More involved metal to me always seemed like modern classical music, composition over everything. Beautiful stuff 🤘
Deep lyrics, catchy guitar riffs, and insane drumming = the heavier version of Tool with a similar loyal fan base who can't get enough
guys never heard of hardcore. addressed animal and environment problems in the fucking 80s
I think you're spot on with the 3 things metal listeners care about. And a fourth one, that Gojira nails and is incredibly important for metal but sometimes goes a little under the radar (but you did point out): Great drumming. Their riffs are great, but Mario is the secret sauce that puts them over the top.
I think you hit this right in the bulls eye! Great video. Great analysis of Gojira and Metal fans.
Seeing gojira live was easily top 3 shows. Their stage presence is a mixture of intense but also super caring. You could tell they really loved what they were doing and were so thankful for everyone there. And the music was SO good too. Better than the albums which is rare for metal
My friend Introduced me to gojira to get me to death metal and I think it worked. It got me to fall in love with the death metal vocals and guitar work.
I ended up seeing them live with slipknot and behemoth. They are amazing Live
I think one key success factor of Gojira (at least here in Europe) was that they were accessible enough to get all kinds of metal fans to like them, yet their style was still technical and/or "heavy" enough so you could geek out a bit about them. You cannot really shove 12-minute Opeth songs down someone's ears who only listens to Metallica and Iron Maiden, but they will mostly be hooked by some disgusting riffs and heavy groove like on "Heaviest Matter of the Universe", even if they are not used to harsh vocals. Very similar to the "simple" technicality of Lamb of God in a way.
On top of that, they are always spot-on live and have earned their reputation of being a great experience on festivals. The "Live at Vieilles Charrues Festival" footage blew my mind back then even before I saw them live for the first time.
13:16 they certainly try to reach all audiences. The first time I saw them live they were touring with Alter Bridge - who I've been a fan of for years as well and I know the AB guys are big Gojira fans too. Gojira were so much better/tighter live and seeing them on a headlining tour blew we away again.
It also seems that everyone has a 'Gojira live' story that made them a fan. So I definitely recommend checking them out live when you have the chance!
Great work! Who else would be in a better than Finn to understand growth through a DIY constant grind? Can’t wait to catch Gojira in May with the Tones
Cool video Finn! I think you have mostly nailed it with the description of the band and their success, and also, as an spanish metal fan, I have to say is very refreshing seeing you talking about a French band without the usual despite you show for other european bands :D We have a great culture of extreme music and sometimes your opinions comes out as a little US-centric. I understand it, but at the same time, I sometimes think you lack a little knowledge of what has been going on here for decades now. But anyway, love your channel, and hope you keep up with your content because it's usually great!
It's good to hear that Finn finally get that metal isn't all about the vocals and that riffs can play just as important part
Gojira, to me, will go down as one of the best bands to have ever existed.
Gojira 🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵
Smash mouth would like a word with you .
I dunno if you’re right actually… my love for Gojira stems from them being the single best live act I’ve ever been a part of. And I write a part of, because that’s how being there feels. The first five to ten rows of people moving in a massive call and response to the rhythmic changes. That’s why I love Gojira. And I think metal fans, more than most, appreciate a good live act.
One of the things about Gojira and their style of music is hearing it in recorded form and seeing it live are two different things!
I’d always really liked their recorded music but seeing it live completely changed the entire experience for me - everything clicked and it made that much more sense! I now LOVE their music!
Also hearing dudes that have been jamming together damn near their entire lives, there’s a tightness and groove to the way they play together that is so utterly powerful live!
The way they incorporate visual art and imagery into the entire experience of their music both in its presentation on their albums, music vids etc. but also as part of their live performance is also important to note!
As much as people say they don’t have gimmicks etc. they do have a very specific visual aesthetic to them!
There’s a 360 component to their music where the visual arts lends itself to the music and the music lends itself to the visual art (bands like Slipknot, Metallica etc. share this same quality) which a lot of bands are missing these days!
Mario is also as much of the frontman of the band as Joe which I think is also somewhat unique! Drummers from all genres respect him!
Joe Duplantier, while not the most charismatic or iconic frontman by any stretch, has an insane stage presence. The mixture of his crazy tight live vocals, his riffs, and his stage demeanor make him seem like a giant when he’s performing. Really amazing to watch
I also feel like his musical chemistry between him and Mario Duplantier is a factor in their appeal, and of course Mario’s monstrous drumming chops
I have a friend that introduced me to the “From Mars to Sirus” album back in 2010. They are now my top 5 Metal Band right now. All of their albums are great! Of more than others but all great. Exceptional band! 🤘🏼❤️🔥🔥🤘🏼💪🏽
I respectfully disagree with your point about Joe's vocals and lack of big choruses and vocal hooks. I started getting into Gojira because of Joe's pitched screams (few vocalists possess his mix of power and melody when performing those either live or in studio) and the overall earthy, yet tight vibe of the band's music. Also, they've got plenty of catchy vocal hooks and choruses. Pretty much every song off Magma and Fortitude has got a huge memorable chorus, while certain songs on From Mars to Sirius and The Way of All Flesh have effective vocal hooks (From the Sky chorus, World to Come, To Sirius, A Sight to Behold, Art of Dying, etc.). Also, a huge reason why they're big and win over new fans is the fact that they're insanely tight live.
I dont understand how this guy is so popular when his understanding of music is about a thimbleful deep.
One of the things that immediately struck me about Gojira when I finally gave them a long overdue shot last year was how much the vocalist reminds me of Killing Joke. I almost feel like they have a lot of the "Post" vibes. Killing Joke is Post-Punk Industrial stuff, and Gojira almost feels like a sort of weird Post-Metal. I really do agree that a lot of the weird popularity and appeal of Gojira is that they don't sound like anyone else.
I'm a huge Killing Joke and Gojira fan and I'd never spotted the similarities before but you're right. I guess that explains why I like them both so much.
I was about to comment the same thing. When you have your own sound, you automatically stand out from everyone else and no one can say you’re merely chasing trends. It’s the exact that a group like Architects or rappers like Kendrick Lamar are the biggest artists in their respective categories.
@@stevec6427 it’s shocking to me sometimes how much Joe’s screams sound like Jaz Coleman’s screams. Probably the song that I can point to from KJ that shows this the best is “Asteroid” - tell me that doesn’t sound almost the same vocal styling? Now, music is a totally different planet.
@@luke_cohen1 I think it helps with their “authenticity” - because if there’s one thing a bunch of uptight metal fans can’t stand, it’s a poser that’s trying too hard 🤣 Gojira doesn’t feel like they have a gimmick, or that they’re trying to fill a niche. They just feel and sound like Gojira.
@@ChopTheViking I can see that. Rap has a lot of the same attitude (for obvious reasons) as does country. I'm just a little skeptical of the desire for purity in the Digital Age. People can take influences from anything on the planet these days thanks to the internet and I don't think pushing for purity is a fruitful endeavor for anybody. This impulse may disappear over time as the kids who grew up with the internet care less about such worries (as they rightly should).
Ahh yes the way of all flesh. Vacuity is so disgusting but beautiful at the same time. I mean it sincerely. It just has a very visceral yet ethereal quality to it
Well said.
I find it ironic that he was saying Gojira doesn't have big choruses, ir parts ti sung along to, when that album us full of them. Vacuity is a perfect example
I've only seen Gojira live twice, in two very different settings, and they completely owned the stage both times.
The first was a small venue, quite intimate, and I found myself mesmerised by the drumming whereas I'd normally focus on guitars.
The second was when they headlined Bloodstock a few years ago and they made that stage their own. They seemed huge.
really heavy chuggy metal has a LOT in common with EDM, it's all about the beats. Vocals are just another instrument to add texture to the song, the lyrics aren't super important, it's the primal, driving rhythm that attracts listeners, especially to shows.
That's why many metal fans enjoy electronic music too
Interesting, I enjoy edm too alongside metal
Metalheads are more into riffs, that's true. Finn (and other fans of pop or at least the pop structure) are into vocals and lyrics. Personally, I think there is a middle ground. People can be into big heavy riffs and also be into the lyrics and vocals. At least, I try to :)
@Franz Fanon Thanks
Seeing them live for the first time is what hooked me. One of the heaviest sounding live bands I've ever seen.
I mainly got into them because of Mario's drumming, his jazzy style of the typical metal drums; it changed my life, plus his different style of blasts and independence.
I think you pretty much hit the nail with this: great drumming, catchy grooves, great live performances, rather easy to get into (for your random rather seasoned metal listener) and a kind of mysterious aura around the band (I remember over 10 years ago when I got into them I couldn't find a lot of info about the band on the internet, lol, and they were already pretty huge for a metal band). I've been thinking for some time whether or not they're the equivalent of Metallica for extreme metal (that really big band that most fans of the genre like on some level). My only caveat would be that they have their fair share of haters, I've met plenty of older metalheads (the more elitist, old school metal kind of dudes) who have been constantly hating on them for years, most of the time they bring of some argument along the lines of "oh, they just rip off Morbid Angel" or just dislike them because they bring up environmentalism in their lyrics.
Been looking forward to this video
Same
I just stumbled across this band on a random spotify playlist that has a lot of my regular bands on it. The rifts definitely got my attention on the first song. Ultimately, when I get a song stuck in my head its always the rift first, then sometimes the lyrics on top of it.
I thought Opeth were the greatest, most unusual and talented band in the world. Then I discovered Gojira. Utterly amazing! Sheer genius musical and songwriting talent. Mere words can’t describe how much I love them ❤